Folding leg assembly



Sept. 1969 C. o. LARSON 3,464,373

FOLDING LEG ASSEMBLY Filed Feb. 28, 1967 V 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 //2 F/G lb /2/ I52 /5/ /80 A20 CHARLES a. LARSON /28 B W W 662% (ZM WWW ATTORNEYS p 2, 1969 c. o. LARSON 3,464,373

FOLDING LEG ASSEMBLY Filed Feb. 28, 1967 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Sept. 2, 1969 c. o. LARSON 3,464,373

FOLDING LEG ASSEMBLY Filed Feb. 28, 1967 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 p 1969 r c. o. LARSON 3,464,373

FOLDING LEG ASSEMBLY Filed Feb. 28, 1967 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 FIG. 14

3,464,373 FOLDING LEG ASSEMBLY Charles 0. Larson, Sterling, Ill., assignor to Chas. O. Larson Co., Sterling, 111., a corporation of Illinois Filed Feb. 28, 1967, Ser. No. 619,238 Int. Cl. A47b 3/087 US. Cl. 108-125 1 Claim ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE There is disclosed herein a folding leg assembly for supporting a table top or the like, comprising an elongated leg hingedly connected to the underside of the table top. The leg has a generally U-shaped cross-section and includes an elongated main wall and opposed spaced-apart side flanges on the longitudinal edges of the main wall. A brace including a pair of arms hingedly interconnects the legs to the underside of the table, the leg in the folded position thereof receiving and enclosing therein the brace. In one embodiment disclosed, the lower end of the leg is provided with a roller mounted on the side flanges at the lower end of the leg, the diameter of the roller being less than the lateral extent of one of the side flanges. In a second embodiment disclosed, the lower end of the leg is provided with a brace which is pivotal relative to the lower end of the leg so as to provide an enlarged support surface when the leg is in its support position. In the third embodiment disclosed the lower end of the leg is provided with an adjustable extension whereby the height of the table may be varied.

This invention relates to a folding leg assembly, and particularly to a folding leg assembly for supporting a table top or the like.

It is an important object of the present invention to provide an improved table leg assembly of the type having a brace connected between the leg and the underside of an associated table top and support structure on the lower end of the leg, the improved leg of the present invention in the folded position fully enclosing and covering the brace and all of the parts connected with the brace and fully enclosing and covering the support structure on the lower end of the leg, thereby to provide a neat and attractive arrangement of the parts in the folded positions thereof.

Another object of the present invention is to provide in a folding leg assembly of the type set forth an improved roller mounted on the lower end of the leg and confined between the side flanges thereof and projecting only longitudinally beyond the lower end of the leg, whereby the roller in no way interferes with the movement of the folding leg assembly to the fully folded position thereof.

In connection with the foregoing object, it is another object of the present invention to provide an improved roller structure wherein the support surface is rounded to provide an essentially point contact with the underlying support surface, and further to provide a structure wherein the side flanges of the leg extend downwardly beyond the lower end of the main wall with the roller disposed between the portions of the side flanges disposed beyond the lower end of the main wall.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an improved folding leg assembly of the type set forth carrying on the lower end thereof a base including an elongated center wall and opposed spaced-apart side walls on the longitudinal edges of the main wall and extending substantially the length thereof, and a pivot pin passing through aligned openings in the side flanges of the side walls and pivotally mounting the base upon the lower end of the leg for movement between a sup- States Patent porting position wherein the center wall of the base is disposed substantially normal to the main wall of the leg and a pivoted position wherein the center wall of the base is disposed substantially parallel to the main wall of the leg, the free longitudinal edges of the side walls not extending beyond the longitudinally extending free edges of the side flanges so that the folding leg assembly can be moved to the fully folded position thereof.

In connection with the foregoing object, it is another object of the invention to provide an improved folding leg-assembly of the type set forth wherein the center wall of the base carries a pair of longitudinally spaced-apart glides thereon disposed in a support position on opposite sides of the pivot pin, and slots in the side wall cooperating with the pivot pin so that in the support position the lower end of the leg can rest upon the center wall and the base can be moved with respect to the leg and pivoted and then placed into a position such that the center wall of the base lies against the main wall of the leg.

A further object ofthe invention is to provide an improved folded leg assembly of the type set forth carrying on the lower end thereof an adjustable extension including an elongated center wall and opposed spacedapart side flanges on the longitudinal edges of the center wall, the lateral extent of the side flanges being substantially equal to the lateral extent of the side walls and the lateral extent of the main wall of the leg being substantially equal to the lateral extent of the center wall of the extension, whereby one of the side flanges can be disposed between the side walls and one of the side walls can be disposed between the side flanges, the side flanges and the side walls having a plurality of sets of aligned openings therein and receiving fastener means therethrough to mount the extension on the leg at one of a plurality of adjustable positions therebetween.

In connection with the foregoing object, it is another object of the invention to provide an improved folding leg assembly of the type set forth wherein the extension carries a foot on the lower end thereof, the foot preferably being provided with a domed glide for contact with an underlying support surface, and the fastener means preferably is a pair of bolts passing through two of the aligned sets of openings, the bolts having threaded outer ends each receiving a threaded nut thereon, thereby fixedly to mount the extension in the desired adjusted position with respect to the leg.

Further features of the invention pertain to the particular arrangement of the parts of the folding leg assembly, whereby the above-outlined and additional operating features thereof are attained.

The invention, both as to its organization and method of operation, together with further objects and advantages thereof, will best be understood by reference to the following specification taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the underside of a table having mounted thereon four of the folding leg assemblies of the present invention, three of the legs being shown in extended operative position thereof and one of the legs being shown in the folded position thereof;

FIG. 2 is a side elevational view on an enlarged scale with certain parts broken away of one corner of the table of FIG. 1 illutrating the details of construction of one of the folding leg assemblies thereof;

FIG. 3 is a view of the folding leg assembly illustrated in FIG. 2 as seen from the right;

FIG. 4 is a side elevational view of the folding leg assembly of FIGS. 2 and 3 as seen from the right in FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a view of the folding leg assembly of FIG. 2 with the leg thereof in the folded position, certain portions being broken away;

FIG. 6 is a view similar to FIG. and showing the other side of the folding leg assembly with the leg in the folded position thereof, additional portions of the leg being broken away to illustrate the position of the brace and safety latch structure;

FIG. 7 is a side elevational view of the lower end of the leg of FIG. 2 as seen in the direction of the arrows along the line 77 thereof;

FIG. 8 is an end view of the lower end of the leg of FIG. 2 as seen in the direction of the arrows along the line 8-8 thereof;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the underside of a table having mounted thereon four of the folding leg assemblies of a first modified construction, all made in accordance with and embodying the principles of the present invention, three of the legs being shown in the extended operative position thereof and one of the legs being shown in the folded position thereof;

FIG. 10 is a side elevational view on an enlarged scale of the lower end of one of the folding leg assemblies of FIG. 9 with the parts in the operative position thereof;

FIG. 11 is a view in vertical section along the line 1111 of FIG. 10;

FIG. 12 is a view similar to FIG. 10 showing the parts thereof in the folded positions thereof;

FIG. 13 is an exploded perspective view of the parts illustrated in FIG. 12 of the drawings;

FIG. 14 is a perspective view of the underside of a table having mounted thereon four of the folding leg assemblies incorporating a second modification thereof, all made in accordance with and embodying the principles of the present invention, three of the legs being shown in the extended operative position thereof and one of the legs being shown in the folded position thereof;

FIG. 15 is a side elevational view on an enlarged scale of the lower end of the leg of one of the folding leg assemblies of FIG. 14;

FIG. 16 is a side elevational view of the parts illustrated in FIG. 15 as seen from the right thereof; 1

FIG. 17 is a view in horizontal section along the line 17-17 of FIG. 15; and

FIG. 18 is a view in vertical section along the line 18-18 in FIG. 15.

Referring to FIG. 1 of the drawings, there is shown a first preferred embodiment of the present invention mounted upon a table 110, such as a card table, including a table top 111 on which are mounted four of the folding leg assemblies 120 made in accordance with and embodying the principles of the present invention, the folding leg assemblies 120 being arranged so that the legs thereof can be folded in off-set pairs against the underside of the table top 111 as illustrated by the folding leg assembly 120 to the right in FIG. 1. The table top 111 as illustrated is generally square and includes a top surface 112, a peripheral surface or edge 113 and a bottom surface or underside 114.

Each of the folding leg assemblies 120* is identical in construction to the others, and accordingly, only one of the folding leg assemblies 120 will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 1 to 8, like reference numerals being utilized to identify like parts throughout the drawings. The folding leg assembly 120 comprises a leg 121 which is generally U-shaped in cross section, as may be best seen in FIG. 8, and includes an elongated main wall 122 that extends the entire length thereof. Formed integral with the main wall and extending substantially perperpendicular thereto from the opposite sides thereof are two parallel, opposed and spaced-apart side flanges 123 and 124 which cooperate with the main wall 122 to provide a hollow leg of essentially U-shaped cross section. Side flanges 123 and 124 extend the entire length of the leg 151 and actually extend beyond the lower edge of the main wall 122, see FIGS. 2 and 5. The upper ends of the side flanges 123 and 124 are rounded as at 125 and 126, respectively, to permit folding of the legs 121, as

4 will be described more full hereinafter, and the other ends of the side flanges 123 and 124 terminate in rounded lower free edges 127 and 128, respectively.

The lower end of the leg 121 carries a roller having a width slightly less than the distance between the opposed side flanges 123 and 124 and having a maximum diameter that is slightly less than the lateral extent of the flanges 123 and 124. The roller 130 includes a support surface 131 which is curved so that only an essentially point contact is made with an underlying support surface. A bearing axle is provided for the roller 130 by a rivet 132, the rivet 132 passing through aligned openings in the side flanges 123 and 124 and the roller 130, the outer ends of the rivet 132 being peened over as at 133, where by permanently to mount the roller 130 upon the lower end of the leg 131. It will be seen that the support surface 131 is spaced downwardly from the lower end 129 of the main wall 122 (see FIG. 7) and also extends longitudinally beyond the rounded lower edges 127 and 128 of the side flanges 123 and 124, respectively; in this connection, it is pointed out that the lower edge 129 of the main wall 122 is in fact curved upwardly and away from the roller 130. The diameter of the roller 130 is such that it is confined within the longitudinally extending edges of the side flanges 123 and 124 to accommodate the folding of the leg 121 as is best illustrated in FIG. 5 of the drawings.

As illustrated, the leg 121 is hingedly attached to the table top 111 by means of a pair of leg brackets 151 and 152, the leg bracket-s 151 and 152 including mounting flanges 153 and 154, respectively, and support flanges 155 and 156, respectively. The mounting flanges 153 and 154 are fixedly secured to the underside 114 of the table top 111 as by a plurality of screws 157, the screws 157 passing through openings, not shown, in the mounting flanges 153 and 154 and engaging the table top 111, three of the screws 157 having been illustrated as being utilized in the mounting of each of the flanges 153 and 154. The leg brackets 151 and 152 are mounted so that the inner surfaces of the support flanges 155 and 156, which are disposed substantially perpendicular to the associated mounting flanges 153 and 154, respectively, are spaced apart in generally parallel positions a distance such as to receive therebetween the upper end of the leg 121 as viewed in FIG. 2. A first rivet 158 passes through aligned openings (not shown) in the leg side flange 123 and the support flange 155, and a second rivet 159 passes through the aligned openings (not shown) in the leg side flange 124 and the support flange 156. In the construction, the upper end of the leg 121 including the upper edges of the main wall 122 and the leg side flanges 123 and 124 are disposed immediately adjacent to the underside 114 of the table top 111 when the leg 121 is in the operative position, i.e., when the longitudinal axis of the leg 121 is substantially normal to the underside 114 of the table top 111. Because of the rounded corners 125 and 126 on the leg side flanges 123 and 124, respectively, the leg 121 can be pivoted in one direction, i.e., in the counterclockwise direction as viewed in FIG. 2, and only in that direction, from the operative position illustrated in FIG. 2 to a pivoted folded position illustrated in FIG. 5. In the folded position of the leg 121, the free edges of the leg side flanges 123 and 214 are disposed against the underside 114 of the table top 111 throughout substantially the length thereof, the roller 130 also preferably lying against the underside 114 of the table top 111.

In order to maintain the leg 121 in the operative position thereof illustrated in FIGS. 2, 3 and 4, there has been provided a brace 160 which includes a pair of arms 161 and 165. The arm 161 is provided with an offset 162 therein (see FIG. 3) and has one end pivotally connected to the leg 121 by means of a rivet 163, the rivet 163 passing through aligned openings (not shown) in the leg side flange 124 and the arm 161. The other end of the arm 161 and one end of the arm 165 are pivotally connected by a rivet 164 passing through aligned openings (not shown) therein, the adjacent end of the arm 165 extending downwardly beyond the rivet 164 as illustrated in FIG. 2 and carrying on the outermost portion thereof an abutment finger 167 that extends inwardly and over the other arm 161 and in contact therewith to prevent further movement of the rivet 164 downwardly and to the right as illustrated in FIG. 2.

The other end of the brace arm 165 is pivotally connected to the underside 114 of the table top 111 by means of a brace bracket 170, the brace bracket 170 including a mounting flange 171 and a support flange 172, the mounting flange 171 and the support flange 172 being disposed substantially normal to each other. The mounting flange 171 is provided with a pair of openings (not shown) therethrough that receive screws 157 thatextend into the table top 111 to mount the brace bracket 17-0 on the underside 114 thereof. The adjacent end of the arm 165 has an offset 166 therein and the outermost portion thereof is connected to the support flange 172 by means of a rivet 173, the rivet 173 passing through aligned open ings (not shown) in the arm 165 and the support flange 172. As illustrated in FIGS. '2, 3 and 4, the abutment finger 167 on the arm 165 abutting the arm 161 prevents further movement of the rivet 164 downwardly and to the right, whereby the parts are illustrated in the bracing position thereof, the brace 160 in this position holding the leg 121 as illustrated in the operative position. When it is desired to pivot the leg 121 to the folded position thereof, it is necessary first to move the rivet 164 upwardly and to the left as illustrated in FIG. 2 so as to fold the brace arms 161 and 165 with respect to each other.

In order to prevent inadvertent movement of the brace arms 161 and 165 toward the folded position for the leg 121, a safety latch 180 has been provided, the safety latch 180 at one end thereof being pivotally connected to the leg bracket 152 by means of the rivet 159. The other end of the safety latch 180 (see FIG. 4) has a notch 182 therein, the material from the notch 182 being bent to form an integral abutment finger 181 (see FIGS. 2 and 3 also), the provision of the notch 182 in the safety latch 180 also forming a hook 183 on the outer end thereof. In the latching position of the safety latch 180, the lowermost edge thereof, as illustrated in FIGS. 2 to 4, bears against the upper edge of brace abutment finger 167 and the notch 182 receives therein the peened over head 164a on the rive-t 164 with the hook 183 releasably in engagement therewith. With the parts so arranged, it is not possible to move the rivet 164 upwardly and to the left as illustrated in FIG. 2, i.e., toward the leg folded position thereof, whereby the safety latch 180 serves firmly to hold the leg 121 and the associated parts in the operative position thereof. When it is desired to pivot the leg 121 to the folded position thereof, the safety latch 180 is releasably disengaged from he head 164a on the rivet 164 by being slidably moved thereover, whereby the safety latch 180 may be pivoted to the position illustrated by the dashed lines in FIG. 2. The rivet 164 can now be moved upwardly and to the left as seen in FIG. 2 to permit the leg 121 to be pivoted from the operative position illustrated in FIG. 2 to the folded position illustrated in FIG. 5.

As is best seen in FIG. 3 of the drawings, all of the brace 160, the brace bracket 170 and the safety latch 180 are disposed within the lateral confines of the leg 121, and more specifically, are disposed between the leg side flanges 123 and 124, i.e., the lateral extend of the brace 160 and the brace bracket 170 and the safety latch 180 is less than the distance between the leg flanges 123 and 124, and all of the parts named are disposed therebetween. In addition, as may be best seen in FIGS. 7 and 8, the roller 130 is likewise disposed within the lateral confines of the leg 120, and more specifically, is disposed between the leg side flanges 123 and 124. Furthermore, all of the brace 160, the brace bracket 170 and the safety latch 180 are disposed with respect to the leg assembly in the direction of folding thereof so that when the leg 121 is moved to the folded position illustrated in FIG. 5, the brace 160, the brace bracket 170 and the safety latch 180 are all received Within the leg 121. In addition, all of the parts including the brace 160, the brace bracket 170 and the safety latch 180 have a depth in the folded position thereof, i.e., extend downwardly from the underside 114 of the table top 111 as viewed in FIG. 2, a distance less than the distance from the edges of the leg side flanges 123 and 124 to the inner surface of the main wall 122. Likewise, the roller is confined between the space defined by the longitudinally extending edges of the leg side flanges 123 and 124 and the inner surface of the main wall 122. As a result, the leg 121 can be folded flush against the underside 114 of the table top 111 as illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 6. It will be seen therefore that when the leg 121 is in the folded position therof, the roller 130 and the brace bracket 170 and the safety latch 180 are all completely received within the leg 121 and are enclosed thereby so that the leg assembly 120 in the folded position has an unusually neat and attractive appearance, has no proturding parts that will catch on the furniture or clothing of a user, and has no sharp parts that will cut or mar surfaces against which the leg assembly may come in contact.

The safety latch 180 in cooperation with the brace not only serves to hold the leg 121 in the extended operative position illustrated in FGS. 2 to 4 of the drawings, but these parts also serve releasably to lock the leg 121 in the folded position thereof, these parts cooperating to form an overcenter toggle construction. Referring to FIG. 6 of the drawings, it will be seen that in the fully folded position of the safety latch 180, the hook 183 thereof contacts the underside 114 of the table top 111, whereby to space the lower edge of the abutment finger 181 a specific distance away from the underside 114. In the pivoting of the brace 160 toward the folded position of the parts, the brace arm 165, and specifically the upper edge thereof, contacts and abuts the finger 181, whereby to stop further pivoting of the brace arm about the rivet 163 and thus to stop the center of the rivet 164 at a fixed point with respect to the underside 114 of the table top 111, that point being on a plane designated by the numeral 190 disposed substantially paralled to the underside 114. The center point of the rivet 164 reaches the plane 190 before the leg 121 is in the fully folded position thereof. However, the linkage permits the leg 121 to continue being pivoted until it reaches the fully folded position, at which time the center point of the rivet 161 is disposed in a plane diagrammatically illustrated as at 191, which plane 191 is fixed a second predetermined distance away from the underside 114, which second predetermined distance is less than the first predetermined distance; in other words, the center of the rivet 163 as moved past or over the center of the rivet 164, thus to give the usual over-center toggle action which serves releasably to hold the leg 121 in the folded position thereof.

The construction and operation of the brace 160, the brace bracket and the safety latch are set forth more fully and are claimed in the prior US. Patent No. 3,237,575 granted Mar. 1, 1966 to Charles 0. Larson.

Referring to FIGS. 9 to 13 of the drawings, there is illustrated a second embodiment of the present invention, there being illustrated in FIG. 9 a table 210, such as a card table, including a table top 211 on which are mounted four folding leg assemblies 220 made in accordance with and embodying the principles of the present invention, the folding leg assemblies 220 being arranged so that each of the legs may be folded against the underside of the table top 211 along one of the edges 7 thereof as illustrated by the folding leg assembly to the right in FIG. 9. The table top 211 as illustrated is generally square and includes a top surface 212, a pcripheral surface 213 and a bottom surface or underside 214.

Each of the folding leg assemblies 220 is identical in construction to the others, and accordingly, only one of the folding leg assemblies 220 will be described in detail in FIGS. 9 to 13, like reference numerals being utilized to identify like parts throughout the drawings. The folding leg assembly 220 includes a leg 221 which is generally U-shaped in cross section, as may be best seen from FIG. 11, and includes an elongated main wall 222 which extends the entire length thereof. Formed integral with the main wall 222 and extending substantially perpendicular thereto from the opposite edges thereto are two parallel opposed spaced-apart side flanges 223 and 224 which cooperate with the main wall 222 to provide a hollow leg of essentially U-shaped cross section. The side flanges 223 and 224- extend the entire length of the leg 221, the lower end of the side flanges 223 and 224 terminating in lower free edges 227 and 228, respectively.

The lower end of the leg 221 carries a foot 230 that comprises a plate 231 that is generally rectangular in shape and is formed integral with the main wall 232, the plate 231 being disposed substantially normal to the main wall 232 and extending therefrom in the same direction as the side flanges 223 and 224. The plate 231 has formed integral with the outer end thereof an upturned flange 235 which has the outer surface thereof lying substantially on the same plane as the free edges of the leg side flanges 223 and 224. The lateral edges of the plate 231 have thereon integral side flanges 236 and 237 which extend substantially normal thereto and upwardly toward the other end of the leg 221 on the outside of the adjacent leg side flanges 223 and 224, respectively, whereby the plate 231 and the side flanges 236 and 237 thereon cover and conceal the lower edges 227 and 228 of the leg side flanges 223 and 224, respectively. Formed integral with the foot 230 is a glide 238 which is arranged substantially centrally of the plate 231 and extends downwardly therefrom terminating in a bearing surface that is substantially flat.

The lower end of the leg 221 also carries a base 240 which is generally U-shaped in cross section, as may be best seen from FIG. 11, and includes an elongated center Wall 241 which extends the entire length thereof. Formed integral with the center wall 241 and extending substantially perpendicular thereto from the opposite sides thereof are two parallel, opposed and spaced-apart side walls 242 and 243 which cooperate with the center wall 241 to provide the base 240 of essentially U-shaped cross section. The side walls 242 and 243 extend the entire length of the base 240, the upper corners of the side walls 242 and 243 being rounded as at 244 and 245, respectively. In order pivotally to mount the base 240 on the lower end of the leg 221, a pair of aligned openings 22S and 226 are formed in the leg side flanges 223 and 224, respectively, and a pair of elongated slots 246 and 247 are formed in the side walls 242 and 243, respectively. More specifically, the elongated slots 246 and 247 are formed generally at the longitudinal midpoint of the associated side walls 242 and 243, the longitudinal axes of the slots 246 and 247 being arranged substantially normal with respect to the center wall 241. A rivet 249 extends through the aligned openings 225 and 226 and through the aligned slots 246 and 247, the side walls 242 and 243 being disposed outwardly with respect to the associated side flanges 223 and 224, respectively, see FIG. 11. Finally, there is formed integral with the base 240 a pair of longitudinally spaced-apart glides 249 that are arranged adjacent to the opposite ends of the center wall 241 and extend downwardly therefrom terminating in rounded bearing surfaces that are adapted to rest upon an underlying support surface such as a floor, whereby the glides 249 will not mar or scar an associated underlying floor.

As illustrated, when the base 240 is in the support position illustrated in FIGS. 10 and 11, the glide 238 on the foot 230 rests upon the upper surface of the base center wall 241 generally centrally thereof and with the rivet 248 disposed in the lower end of the slots 246 and 247. If it is desired to move the base 240 to the storage position thereof illustrated to the right in FIG. 9 and in FIG. 12, the leg 221 is lifted upwardly with respect to the base 240 thereby to move the rivet 248 to the upper end of the slots 246-247, this permitting the base 240 to be pivoted to the folded position illustrated in FIGS. 9 and 12; thereafter, the base 240 is preferably pushed toward the underside 214 of the table 210 so as to place the center wall 241 against the outer surface of the leg main wall 222, this moving the rivet 248 to the other end of the slots 246-247, i.e., to the end disposed toward the center wall 241. It will be noted that the free longitudinal edges of the side walls 242-243 lie in substantially the same plane as the longitudinally extending free edges of the side flanges 223-224.

The upper end of the legs 221 are hingedly attached to the table top 211 by means of leg brackets 251 and 252, by a brace 260, a brace bracket 270 and a safety latch 280, the parts 251, 252, 260, 270 and 280 being constructed identical to and operating in the same manner as the parts 151, 152, 160, 171 and 180, respectively, described above with respect to FIGS. 1 to 8 of the drawmgs.

Referring to FIGS. 14 to 18 of the drawings, there is illustrated a third form of the folding leg assembly, this third form of the folding leg assembly being mounted on a table 310, such as a card table, including a table top 311 on which are mounted four of the folding leg assemblies 320 all made in accordance with and embodying the principles of the present invention, the folding leg assemblies 320 being arranged so that each of the legs may be folded against the underside of the table top 311 along one of the edges thereof as illustrated by the folding leg assembly 320 to the right and in FIG. 14. The table top 311 as illustrated is generally square and includes a top surface 312, a peripheral surface or edge 313 and a bottom surface or underside 314.

Each of the folding leg assemblies 320 is identical in construction to the others, and accordingly, only one of the folding leg assemblies 320 will be described in detail in FIGS. 15 to 18, like reference numerals being utilized to identify like parts throughout the drawings. The folding leg assembly 320 includes a leg 321 which is generally U-shaped in cross section, as may be best seen from FIG. 17, and includes an elongated main wall 322 which extends the entire length thereof. Formed integral with the main wall 322 and extending substantially perpendicular thereto from the opposite edges thereof are two parallel, opposed and spaced-apart side flanges 323 and 324 which cooperate with the main wall 322 to provide a hollow leg of essentially U-shaped cross section. The side flanges 323 and 324 extend the entire length of the leg 321, the lower ends of the side flanges 323 and 324 being rounded as at 327 and 328, respectively.

The lower end of the leg 321 carries an adjustable extension 330 that is generally U-shaped in cross section, as may be best seen from FIG. 17, and includes an elongated center wall 331; formed integral with the center wall 331 and extending substantially perpendicular thereto from the opposite sides thereof are two parallel, opposed and space-apart side walls 332 and 333 which cooperate with the main wall 331 to provide a hollow extension of essentially U-shaped cross section. The side walls 332 and 333 extend the entire length of the extension 330, the upper ends of the side Walls 332 and 333 extending upwardly beyond the upper edge of the center wall 331, and being rounded as at 334 and 335, respectively, and the other end of the side walls 332 and 333 terminating in lower free edges 336 and 337, respectively.

The lower end of the extension 330 carries a foot 340 that comprises a plate 341 which is generally rectangular in shape and is formed integral with the center wall 331, the plate 341 being disposed substantially normal to the center wall 331 and extending therefrom in the same direction as the side walls 332 and 333. The plate 341 has formed integral with the outer end thereof an upturned front flange 345 which has the outer surface thereof aligned substantially in the same plane as the free edges of the side walls 332 and 333. The lateral edges of the plate 341 have thereon integral side flanges 346 and 347 which extend substantially normal thereto and upwardly toward the other end of the extension 330 and on the outside of the adjacent extension side walls 332 and 333, respectively, whereby the plate 341 and the side flanges 346 and 347 thereon cover and conceal the lower edges 336 and 337 of the extension side walls 332 and 333, respectively (see FIG. 18).

Formed integral with the foot 340 is a glide 348 which is arranged substantially centrally of the plate 341 and extends downwardly therefrom terminating in a rounded bearing surface that is adapted to rest upon the underlying support surface such as a floor, the rounded support surface ensuring that the glide 348 will not mar or scar an associated underlying floor.

In order adjustably to interconnect the extension 330 and the leg 321, the leg 321 has a plurality of sets of aligned openings 329 formed in the side flanges 323 and 324 thereof, and the side walls 332 and 333 of the extension 330 likewise have similar aligned pairs of openings 339 disposed therein, the aligned pairs of openings 329 and 339 being arranged so that they can be brought into registration at a plurality of adjusted positions between the leg 321 and the extension 330. As illustrated, a pair of bolts 315 is provided in two of the aligned pairs of openings 329-339, each of the bolts 315 having a head 316 on one end thereof and a threaded portion 317 on the other end thereof, each of the threaded portions 317 receiving a complementarily threaded nut 31S thereon The bolts 315 together with the nuts 318 serve fixedly to interconnect the leg 321 and associated extension 330.

In FIG. 17 it will be seen that the lateral extent of the side flanges 323-324 is substantially equal to the lateral extent of the side walls 332333, respectively, and the lateral extent of the main wall 322 is substantially equal to the lateral extent of the center wall 331, whereby the leg 321 and its extension 330 are nested and interfitted as illustrated in FIG. 17, i.e., the lower side flange 323 being disposed against the inner surface of the lower side wall 332 and between the side walls 332-333, while the side flange 324 is disposed against the outer surface of the side wall 333 so that the side wall 333 is disposed between the side flanges 323324. As illustrated, the presence of the extension 330 on the lower end of the leg 321 in any of the adjusted positions thereof will not interfere with the movement of the leg 321 to the folded position thereof illustrated to the right in FIG. 14.

The upper end of the leg 321 is hingedly attached to the table top 311 by means of a pair of leg brackets 351 and 352, a brace 360, a brace bracket 370 and a safety latch 380, these parts being identical in construction and operation to the like numbered parts 151, 152, 160, 170 and 180, respectively, described above with respect to the folding leg assembly 120 of FIGS. 1 to 8.

From the above it will be seen that there have been provided folding leg assemblies which fulfill all of the objects and advantages set forth above. While there have been described what are at present considered to be the preferred embodiments of the invention it will be understood that various modifications may be made therein, and it is intended to cover in the appended claims all such modifications as fall within the true spirit and scope of the invention.

What is claimed is:

1. A folding leg assembly for supporting a table top or the like comprising an elongated leg of generally U- shaped cross section including an elongated main wall extending substantially the length thereof having a lower edge that is upwardly curved and opposed spaced-apart side flanges on the longitudinal edges of said main wall extending longitudinally beyond said main wall at the lower end of said leg, a leg bracket hingedly connecting the upper end of said leg to the underside of the associated table top so that said leg can be pivoted between an operative position with the longitudinal axis thereof disposed substantially perpendicular to the underside of the associated table top and a folded position with the longitudinal free edges of said side flanges disposed substantially against the underside of the associated table top, a brace including a first arm hingedly connected adjacent to one end thereof to said leg between said side flanges adjacent to the upper end thereof and a second arm hingedly connected adjacent to one end thereof to the other end of said first arm, a brace bracket hingedly connecting the other end of said second arm to the underside of the associated table top in a position such that said brace arms are in the extended bracing position thereof when said leg is in the operative position thereof, a roller having a width slightly less than the distance between said opposed side flanges and a diameter no greater than the lateral extent of one of said side flanges mounted on said side flanges that extend longitudinally beyond said main wall whereby said roller is disposed below said main wall and extends longitudinally beyond the lower end of said side flanges, said roller having a bearing surface which is curved in a direction parallel to the axis of rotation thereof to provide substantially a point contact with an underlying support surface, and a bearing axle passing through aligned openings in said side flanges and said roller permanently to mount said roller upon the lower end of said leg, said brace and said brace bracket being disposed in the direction of folding of said leg and having a lateral extent with respect to said direction of folding less than the distance between said side flanges and a depth when folded less than the distance from the edges of said side flanges to the inner surface of said rnain wall so that said leg completely receives and encloses therein said brace and said brace bracket and said roller when said leg is in the folded position thereof, whereby said roller in no Way interferes with the movement of the folding leg assembly to the fully folded position thereof.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,745,998 2/1930 Kovats 108-126 1,905,862 4/1933 Harman 108-125 1,951,888 3/1934 Tinsley 108-160 2,004,696 6/1935 Heath 108-160 2,054,755 9/1936 Kovats 108-125 2,183,070 12/1939 Griesedieck 108-160 3,146,737 9/1964 De-Saussure 108-160 X 3,237,575 3/1966 Larson 108-125 3,266,445 8/1966 Larson 108-125 1,902,726 3/ 1933 Schacht 16-45 2,645,538 7/1953 Segal 108-145 2,805,905 9/1957 Levitan, et al 108-145 2,964,778 12/1960 Frey 16-45 2,986,746 6/1961 Jackson 5-8 3,329,975 7/1967 Hooker 5-8 BOBBY R. GAY, Primary Examiner GLENN O. FINCH, Asssistant Examiner UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION Patent No. 3,464,373 September 2, 1969 Charles 0. Larson It is certified that error appears in the above identified patent and that said Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below:

Column 4, line 1, "full" should read fully line 63, "214" should read 124 Column 5, line 56, "he" should read the line 68, "extend" should read extent Column 6, line 21, after "130" insert and the brace 160 line 26, "proturding"v should read protruding Column 8, line 68, "space-apart" should read spaced-apart Signed and sealed this llth day of August 1970.

(SEAL) Attest:

Edward M. Fletcher, Jr.

Attesting Officer Commissioner of Patents 

